Hi there can anybody help me... this plant has been in my garden from a small thing... about 2 years , this year it has small chilli like buds/flowers ... but have no idea . Help .

I call it a weed.
If you don't want it coming up all over your yard next year, dig it out and trash can it, before it blooms and goes to seed.
😎😎😎

Oh, that is really pretty! I wonder if it might be a variety of Clianthus? Here are two from our database for comparison:

Parrot's Bill (Clianthus puniceus)



Ngutu-kaka (Clianthus puniceus var. maximus 'King Kaka')

Yes, I think it must be Clianthus. There are only two but I don't know which one.

Philip, don't you think we should identify plants before declaring them weeds? Hopefully, Louisamelita did not take your advice as this plant is apparently quite rare and does not occur in the US (unless you shop at Annie's Annuals).

DaisyI said:Philip, don't you think we should identify plants before declaring them weeds? Hopefully, Louisamelita did not take your advice as this plant is apparently quite rare and does not occur in the US (unless you shop at Annie's Annuals).

I believe we are all entitled to have an opinion. Philip lives in California. Annie's Annuals (I believe) is in California and since Annie's is selling this plant it could well occur in the US as an introduced plant. The plant in question is not native to the US and could theoretically become an invasive pest. Let us, please, not discount the opinion of other gardeners and rather just state our own opinions without taking aim at our fellow NGA members. Thank you.

I wonder if maybe Philip recognized it as a different plant, one he may considers a weed in his area? Either way, one man's weed may be another's prized plant.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species shows Parrot's Bill (Clianthus puniceus) as Endangered ... so I'd hesitate to trash it.

This plant came to mind when I saw the posted plant and it is invasive here in California. Not it at all of course. but some general similarity to our "weed".

It looks like Clianthus to me too, at least the pointy bits on the calyx match the ID plant (which is in the UK where Clianthus is only hardy In the milder areas).

I never thought about Sesbania, which could also be a possibility but the buds on Louisamelita's plant appear longer and remind me more of Clianthus.

Sesbania is listed as a Category II non-native, invasive here in Florida; a beautiful pest!

I wasn't suggesting Sesbania as an ID. Just as an aside to Philips "weed" comment and your comment Lin. As I stated above "not it at all of course". I agree with your ID.

I wondered if Philip was thinking of Campsis radicans, trumpet creeper. Certainly it would help to have a proposed ID along with any determination of whether it's a weed or not

Lots of plants that are lovely and polite in cooler areas become rude rebels in warmer ones like California, Florida and Texas. Could this be one?

Some plants which formerly retained the common name of Clianthus (even if not included in that genus for a hundred years) are now included within Swainsona or elsewhere. It can get pretty confusing when you dig deeply into it because they're all legumes and have similar leaves and flowers.

greene said:

Let us, please, not discount the opinion of other gardeners and rather just state our own opinions without taking aim at our fellow NGA members. Thank you.

I did not see anyone taking 'aim' at any member and I read the comments twice to make sure. It was just a question that was asked. Let's not jump to quick conclusions.

Good. That means we're behaving ourselves.